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BMX Racer Lauren Webber Shares Her Top Tips for Getting Fast + Making Progress
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Not going to lie, Lauren Webber and Lindsay from the first Shred Girls book, Lindsay’s Joyride, would be best friends if Lindsay was real. When Lauren talks about her bike, it’s almost the perfect opposite of Lindsay’s in the book, and Lauren even calls it her Hulk bike—gotta love a superhero-themed cyclist! This BMXer has been riding for years, and she’s one of the best young BMX racers in Canada — and recently stopped playing ice hockey (!) to pursue cycling more seriously. Let’s dive into learning all about Lauren!!
When did you start riding?
I started riding bikes around the age of five, my parents had bought me one for my birthday and I always loved being on it. My dad has been riding mountain bikes and road bikes for the majority of his life as well as competing so I always saw going out and coming home from rides and I always knew I wanted to try it.
What about racing?
I decided to start racing BMX after my trip to Quebec with the Ottawa Bicycle Association where we went on the Bromont Olympic velodrome. There was a track right beside it which i was on for hours and my dad said it was very hard to get me to come off. When we came home, one of my family friends had found out about Nepean BMX where I started racing and continue to this day because of the atmosphere and excitement of the sport.
Favorite part of cycling?
My favourite part about riding is finally catching up to someone you’ve been trying to catch for years and seeing progression. Finally being able to jump, manual or pass someone for the first time is so amazing and it just makes me want to keep accomplishing new things.
Least favorite?
Crashing has to be my least favourite part of riding especially if you’re doing well in a race.
Have you made many friends through racing?
I have made lots of friends through racing and it’s one of the main reasons as to why I like racing so much. I am a very shy person myself so it did take me a little while to make friends but I started to go to all of the clinics and races where I just tried to talk to everyone I could to get tips for riding to improve and went from there.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BisnRoWBFrp/
Proudest accomplishment?
My best accomplishment that I’ve had riding would have to be jumping super cross at the Pan Am track in Toronto and in Sarasota, Florida. Jumping has always been the thing that I’ve struggled most with and jumping these things gave me a lot more confidence in myself.
What does a week of training look like for you?
In a week, I will usually have two to three days of riding and a race on the weekend. I also usually have two or three days of workouts in the gym and will try to squeeze sprint training in anywhere I can even if that means I do it on top of something else.
How should a new rider get started?
Going out to the clinics and gate nights held at your track is great to start out. These nights are much more relaxed and it will help you get more comfortable on the track as well as there being a greater amount of people on and at the track.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Beba_aQhjfg/
Best tip for tackling something scary?
You just have to commit and believe in yourself! It is very scary doing something new on the track but you will have a better chance at succeeding if you fully commit to it.
Favorite piece of gear?
My favourite piece of riding gear would have to be my bike. The frame is purple and I have lime green accents on it, I chose this colour scheme because they are two of my favorite colours however, once it was all put together I realized that colours are also the theme of the Hulk which i think is sick. (I included a picture that I thought showed my bike pretty well)
Follow her on Instagram handle at @laurenwebber__ (and make sure to follow @shred.girls too!)
